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ABOUT THE FIRST GEN STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVE
Like many higher education institutions, The Chicago School’s student body is growing more and more diverse year after year. One aspect of diversity that is not highlighted often is first generation student – or “first gen” - status. At The Chicago School, a first generation undergraduate student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree in the United States. A first generation graduate student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a master's or higher degree in the United States.
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This initiative aims to recognize and support the success of first generation undergraduate and graduate students at The Chicago School through the First Gen Student Success Program. The First Gen program is coordinated by the Office of the Dean for Student Success. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive program for first generation students that will include online resources, peer connection, community building, and recognition.
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First Gen Art Show- 2024
 Reflections of New HorizonsArtist: Tan Jia Wei (Gabi) Personal Significance of this piece: This artwork is personal, capturing the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind my roots far back home and embarking on a journey to explore new horizons, represented by the Chicago skyline. This warm, soft hues of the sunset symbolize both the nostalgia of my past and the hope I hold for my future as a First Gen student. Standing on the edge, the lone figure reflects my own journey- looking outward, yet connected inwardly to myself. |  Sweet Home, ChicagoArtist: Jaime Langosch Personal Significance: I wanted my artwork to highlight "family" and "growth". Originally born and raised in Chicago, my family and I spent our time together outside or traveling. As I grew up, my family started to disperse; Indiana, Tennessee... However, we always stayed connected through this invisible string. Now, as I embark on my schooling, I am able to reflect on my roots and how my family and loved ones supported me to get where I am today and where I will be going. |  Nursery Collection #3 The Blessing-JASArtist: Jennifer Ann Stajduhar Significance: Roots and Horizons: I was the first in my family to go to college, pursue a dream, and insist there was more than pain and struggle in this life. I was driven to seek out a horizon my family could not, and in doing that my daughter experienced something I never had. This piece was painted in honor of a friend of mine welcoming her first grandchild into this new world. Her granddaughter will have a different experience than the generations of pain. |
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 UntitledArtist: Gabrielle Rodriguez Significance of piece: I painted this when I had recently moved to the south. I was longing for the vibrance of Latin America and the Caribbean, and everything felt colorless to me at the time. |  Colonial ConcordArtist: Gabrielle Rodriguez Significance: When I first moved to the south, I frequented art museums which depicted colonial meetings among important white people. The work of African American artists was separate from the work of colonial white artists. I wanted to see a piece of art which depicted people from different races meeting to convene. |
TEDTalks on First Gen
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